Paul Francis Bresnahan Jr., 71, Banker, Small Business Owner

(Courtesy photograph)

(Paid obituary)

Paul Francis Bresnahan, Jr. passed away peacefully with his family by his side in Delray Beach, FL on Grandparents Day, September 8, 2019. Paul was born in Haverhill on September 18, 1947 and was the son of the late Paul and Mary (Hayes) Bresnahan. He attended Sacred Hearts School, Cardinal Cushing Academy and graduated from Bentley College.

Paul began his successful banking career at the former Haverhill National Bank, and ended his career at Family Bank. As a commercial lender, he had an instinctive ability to allow small business owners to initiate their enterprises. Paul was an entrepreneur in his own right, silently owning several small businesses within the Merrimack Valley.

Throughout his life Paul spent an enormous amount of his time and energy advocating for programs that touched his heart. He enjoyed teaching his daughters and grandchildren about supporting local service clubs and offering unrelenting awareness of the needs of others. He was passionate about creating awareness to support the efforts of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Although not directly affected by the disease, he felt an enormous need to help create change in the scientific discoveries to end this terrible affliction.

Paul was probably the most generous person anyone could meet. He created a culture of protection and security for his family and those whom he felt needed his support. Paul never questioned helping someone whether they asked or not. We hope his legacy of generosity will inspire others.

Paul is survived by the mother of his daughters, Kathleen (O’Shea) Bresnahan, his two daughters; Kerry Bresnahan and Katie (Bresnahan) Dinges, their husbands Gregory Spero and Brian Dinges. Bampie’s memory will live on through his eight grandchildren, Gregory Paul Spero, Steven Spero, Michael Dinges, Matthew Spero, Nicholas Spero,

Ashley Dinges, Caroline Spero and Zachary Spero. His sisters, Patricia (Bresnahan) Stickney and Margaret (Bresnahan) Bartley, and several nieces and nephews. Paul was predeceased by his sister, Sheila (Bresnahan) Genualdo. With due respect to his upbringing his family wishes to remember him with an Irish Prayer:

May the road rise to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face.

And the rains fall soft upon your fields.

Until we meet again,

May He hold you in the palm of His hand.

Paul’s memory can be honored during visiting hours at Dole, Childs & Shaw Funeral Home, 148 Main St., Haverhill on Tuesday, Sept. 17th, from 4:00 to 7:00pm. A funeral mass will be celebrated on his birthday, Wednesday, Sept. 18th, at 11:00am at Sacred Hearts Church in Bradford.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of his, and Kathy’s, dear friend Joyce Moriarty. Make checks payable to the Joyce Moriarty Scholarship Fund, and please forward them c/o Christine McIver, 6 Duquette Drive, Haverhill, MA 01830. Messages of condolence may be sent to www.dcsfuneralhome.com

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